QSFer Angel Martinez has a rereleased MM sci fi/mystery book out in her Esto Universe: “Sub Zero.”
A Science Fiction Mystery from Angel Martinez…
Returning to the frozen planet Aren died on was bound to have complications…
Major Aren Dalsgaard’s newest assignment is to investigate a series of murders on the frigid planet, Drass, where relations between the Treaty settlers and the indigenous inhabitants have taken a nasty turn. A linguist and trained xenologist, Major Dalsgaard should be the ideal Special Investigations Officer for this case, but Drass is where he died, over a hundred and twenty years ago.
Sent by his family to the chigyel city, Nyachung finds himself confronted with a murder charge, racial prejudice, and a man who claims to be a hero from his grandmother’s generation. The man could be crazy or he could be lying to manipulate Nyachung, but the sincerity in those spring-green eyes disturbs him more than anything else he’s encountered in the foreigners’ city.
Evidence that makes no sense, mysterious boxes, and a suspicion that they can’t trust anyone in the city drives the major and Nyachung together and out into the wilderness. No one’s telling Major Dalsgaard everything, but every step leads him closer to a feeling of imminent catastrophe if he can’t wrap this case up in time.
Publisher’s Note: This is the second edition of the story. The only changes made were edits.
ESTO UNIVERSE BOOKS:
- Gravitational Attraction
- A Matter of Faces
- Vassily the Beautiful
- Prisoner 374215
- Sub Zero
Get It At Amazon | Publisher | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Paperback
Excerpt
“Sir, you all right there?”
Major Dalsgaard drew in a shuddering breath. “Remember our agreement, Sergeant, please.”
“Not smothering, sir. Just a status check.” Emma watched him closely. His hands stayed steady, but he leaned heavily on the rail. While his color had improved, he still needed a good few kilos on his long-limbed frame. “It’s hard, sir? Seeing it again?”
Drass. There it loomed, larger by the minute on the view screen, serene and beautiful in its frigid, blue-white glory. Why did some idiot in command think it was a good idea to send him?
“It’s…hard.” The major finally admitted. “Yes. And wondrous and terrifying and glorious and heartbreaking.”
His aide, nursemaid, and confidante on this trip, she worried. Her primary standing order, to keep him healthy and as sane as possible, made worrying part of the job. “You’ve had a lot to take in, the last couple months.”
A bitter smile twisted his lips. “I’ve been through worse.”
“Yes, sir. Not debating that.”
He gazed at what she imagined were inner planet-scapes rather than the one before him, green eyes unfocused, handsome features tight with some remembered pain. “It’s just another investigation, Sergeant. I have a job to do, and I intend to do it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Abruptly, the major executed a crisp about-face and stalked out of the viewing lounge.
The lounge’s attendant, a wide-eyed young corporal, asked, “Sarge, why’s it so tough for him? Seeing Drass?”
Thought everyone knew that by now. “It’d be hard for anyone, son. That’s where he died.”
Author Bio
The unlikely black sheep of an ivory tower intellectual family, Angel Martinez has managed to make her way through life reasonably unscathed. Despite a wildly misspent youth, she snagged a degree in English Lit, married once and did it right the first time, gave birth to one amazing son, and realized at some point that she could get paid for writing.
Published since 2006, Angel’s cynical heart cloaks a desperate romantic. You’ll find drama and humor given equal weight in her writing and don’t expect sad endings. Life is sad enough.
She currently lives in Delaware in a drinking town with a college problem and writes Science Fiction and Fantasy centered around gay heroes.